P.N.G. Gossip Newsletter - 6 Sep 2003

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PNG Gossip Newsletter Meri Milne Bay

Welcome to the

Papua New Guinea Gossip Newsletter


A very special welcome is extended to any new readers. If you have comments or suggestions to make then please e-mail them to giaman@pnggossip.com

Articles for this newsletter

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Neo Melanesian

"Pidgin English"
Tok Pisin
English
kar car
truk truck
motobaik motorbike
wiliwil bicycle
balus plane
ples balus airport
bot boat
pul long kanu paddle or row
sip ship
bateri battery
brek brake
taia tyre (tire)
winskrin windscreen
waipa windscreen wiper
pasindia passenger

 

 

Remember that this mailing list is mainly meant for people who have an interest and already know a little bit about the people and geography of Papua New Guinea. The PNG Kina, which is mentioned from time to time in this newsletter, is currently worth around 28 - 28.5 United States cents but varies on a daily basis.

If you are really keen on finding out what the Kina is worth a currency converter for most world currencies can be located at http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/moni.html

Want to find out more about Papua New Guinea? Try searching at http://www.michie.net/pnginfo and http://www.michie.net/png_faqs. The PNG Business and Tourism Directory located at http://www.pngbd.com is also an excellent place to look for PNG information.

For those who are not so familiar with the geography of Papua New Guinea I suggest taking a look http://maps.expedia.com and then click on the find a map option. Go to this link for a quick start to a link to a map of Port Moresby. http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/pom-map.html

Also remember that the accuracy of the information in this newsletter should not be relied upon - it is, after all, a gossip newsletter.



Links

National Capital Botanical Gardens



Situated within the vast campus of the University of PNG in Port Moresby, the National Capital Botanical Gardens are one of the prime tourist attractions for the country. The Gardens have a huge collection of plants from all over PNG as well as many plants from other parts of the world. These include many palm species, bamboos, heliconias, cordyline, pandanus, native trees and shrubs. Well known for its extensive collection of PNG orchid species housed in large greenhouses the gardens have large orchid houses for orchid hybrids producing cut flowers for the own flower shop. The web site is located at -- http://www.ncbg.org.pg



Taklam Guest House



The Guest House, actually it is now called Taklam Lodge and Tours, was originally located in Rabaul but was relocated to Kokopo after the twin volcanic eruptions destroyed Rabaul in 1994. They commenced operations in 1990 offering a home away from home service. A web site is located at -- http://www.taklam.com.pg/



PNG Manufacturers Council



The Manufacturers Council of Papua New Guinea -- http://www.pngmade.org.pg/ -- The Manufacturers Council is a non-government organisation, established in 1991, to promote the manufacturing and downstream processing sector within Papua New Guinea.



PNG Religious Web Sites



The web site for Papua New Guinea Church Partnership based in the United Kingdom is located at -- http://hometown.aol.co.uk/pngcpluxton/PNGChurchPartnership.htm. This was formerly known as the New Guinea Mission - Supporting the Anglican Province

Here is a quote from one of the pages on the web site --

Many people who live in remote areas in PNG do not receive any medical treatment. The first ever doctors in Koinambe (an area of malnourishment in the Jimi Valley) returned to UK in July 2002. VSO's Chris and Toni Rolles were able to visit people where they live - sometimes two days walk across difficult terrain. PNGCP recruit, Dr. Susanne Alzinger, returned from Oro Bay to Zurich fifteen months ago....

Pioneer Bible Translators -- http://www.pioneerbible.org.pg
Port Moresby Diocese of the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea -- http://www.portmoresby.anglican.org
United Pentecostal Assemblies of PNG -- http://www.upcpng.org
Catholic Church of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands -- http://www.catholicpng.org.pg
Religious Television Association -- http://www.rtapng.com.pg



Telephone Management



If anyone is in PNG and looking for a good telephone management system for their Ericsson, Telikom Oki, Panasonic, NEC or possibly other PABX then I suggest taking a visit to MATRYX -- http://www.matryx.com.pg. This PNG system boasts over 100 customers within PNG. The company can also offer web development and various IT services. It is also associated with the PNG Business and Tourism Directory located at -- http://www.pngbd.com



Real Estate Agents



Arthur Strachan (Lae) -- http://www.arthurstrachan.com.pg
Century 21 -- http://www.century21.com.pg/ and http://www.siule.com.pg/
Kohoy Real Estate -- http://kohoyrealestates.tripod.com/
L.J Hooker -- http://www.ljhooker.com
Ray White Real Estate -- monian@online.net.pg
Strickland RE -- http://www.sre.com.pg/
The Professionals -- http://www.theprofessionals.com.pg



Institute of Directors



The PNG Institute of Directors has revamped its website with the help of an AESOP Volunteer, Peter Griffin . It is an excellent introduction to PNG company law and related governance issues it can be found at -- www.pngid.org.pg



Bill Purcell's Website



Bill, a pilot with many years of experience in PNG, has sections of his web site dealing with Tok Pisin and PNG Aviation in General with special areas on Missionary Aviation Fellowship, PNG Airstrips, Humour and even some airline related humour. This site located at -- http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/billsview/ -- has more than mentioned above so my tip is to visit and take a good look around.

His section on PNG airstrips carries the following disclaimer. PNG Airstrip Data is published only as a guide to pilots in matters helpful to operations, such as GPS settings, wind characteristics, and surface conditions. The PNG AIP-AGA is the legal document governing aviation operations.



National Capital



The National Capital District covers an area of 225 square kilometres located on the southeast coast of the main island of Papua New Guinea at latitude 9 degrees 29 south of the Equator. The web site is located at -- http://www.ncdc.gov.pg



Prime Minister



The Prime Minister's web site is located at http://www.pm.gov.pg/pmsoffice/pmsoffice.nsf but some of the information is well and truly out of date. For example the site made mention of the PNGBC (Papua New Guinea Banking Corporation) but this organisation no longer exists. It has been taken over by the Bank South Pacific.

 

News Items



Preferential Voting



The first past the post way of voting in the national elections has been replaced with Limited Preferential Voting (LPV) for the next elections. This will mean that a candidate will now have to have the biggest group of supporters sharing their vote for him or her. At the moment it is possible for a person to win, for example, with 1/20th of the total vote for the election simply because there are over twenty candidates contesting the election for that area and they have polled the most votes. This has meant that often the majority of voters have voted for other than the winning candidate.



Pig Theft



A man accused of stealing pigs in Mt. Hagen has been slowly tortured and murdered. His body was speared with hot metal rods and he had his testicles and penis cut-off before he died from loss of blood at the Mt. Hagen General Hospital. Relatives of the victim have gone on a rampage destroying houses and other property belonging to his alleged attackers.



Caritas Girls School



The Caritas Girls Technical School in Port Moresby has held a successful cultural day recently. One of the favourites was the performance by the Milne Bay students of the Tapioka Dance. The cultural event also saw students from Central, East New Britain, East Sepik, Gulf, Manus, Morobe, North Solomons, the Highlands Provinces and even West Papua (Irian Jaya).



Deloitte Tower



Three of the upper floors of Deloitte Tower were flooded recently when a water pipe is believed to have broken. The water seeped through the 14th floor to the two floors below affecting offices belonging to the World Bank and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. The total cost for the damage has not been calculated as many things are still drying out.



Port Moresby International



The Port Moresby International School at Boroko East was robbed recently. The robbers fooled security guards by wearing a variety of Pom High School uniforms. Once inside the finance area of the school the robbers knew all the names of the office staff so it is suspected that the robbery is an inside job. The criminals did not manage to take much as the school had banked the most of the cash that passes through the office.



Personal Tax Increase



The Finance Minister, Bart Philemon, has denied reports that there would be increases in personal tax in PNG. Philemon has said that there's a need for a reduction in government¹s spending, but essential services like health, education, and law and order will not be affected. He will present his budget in the first week of Parliament in two weeks time



Sir Alkan Tololo



Sir Alkan Tololo has passed away at the age of 73 in Port Moresby on the 26th of August. He leaves behind his wife, Lady Nerrie, three children and five grand children.



Air Niugini



Air Niugini has announced that it will take delivery of two Dash 8 aircraft in November. This will bring the Dash 8 fleet to three and allow the much older F28 1000 series to be retired. The F28 4000 series will continue to fly while Air Niugini looks at a replacement for them. The extra Dash 8's will allow the airline to move forward with its National pilot training scheme.



Emergency Aircraft Exercise



After five to six years without conducting any safety exercises the PNG Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has been able to conduct an emergency exercise at Jackson's Airport in Port Moresby recently. The exercise tested the readiness of the CAA Fire rescue service, National Disaster and Emergency Services, Port Moresby General Hospital, St John Ambulance, the civilian fire service, the police force and the Transport Department's Air Safety investigation division. The Australian Government came to the aid of PNG in helping to conduct the exercise.



Works Department



After more than two months without electricity the Works Department in Port Moresby has had the power reconnected after paying over K65,000 in debts owed to the electricity company, PNG Power. Some of the offices where able to be supplied limited power from standby generators during the period without power.



2003 Hiri Moale Festival



The annual Hiri Moale Festival held in Port Moresby, in conjunction with Independence Day celebrations, has had to be cancelled to allow the city council to make various outstanding payments for goods and services. One of the payments is for the new roadwork being done and completed around Port Moresby.



Port Moresby Roads



Healey Parade - the road that follows the sea from Koki to Ela Beach has been officially opened by the city council. What was once a two-lane road taking traffic towards town is now a four lane divided road allowing traffic to travel to and from the downtown Port Moresby area.



2003 Budget Deficit



The government is searching for K150 million to make interest payments on the money it has had to borrow domestically to fill in the gaps due to delays in obtaining K140 million from the Asian Development Bank and the expected K200 million from the sale of State owned assets. The Ombudsman Commission would not be touched in the search for the money.



Manus Detention Centre



The Manus Detention Centre will not be used until further discussions are held between the Australian and PNG governments in October. The Australian Government built the centre to cater for the 356 refugees refused entry into Australia until their status as refugees was verified.



Chemotherapy



The women of PNG and particularly those in Port Moresby can now have access to chemotherapy thanks to the efforts of a Chinese doctor attached to the Port Moresby General Hospital. The doctor is one of ten doctors from China who have been based in the Port Moresby Hospital on a two-year contract.



BSP



The Bank South Pacific has listed successfully on the Port Moresby Stock Exchange (POMSoX). The PNG public can how have an opportunity to invest in the bank along with the bigger corporate investors. The bank is hoping that there will be a strong demand for the shares.



PNG Lotto



After many years without a winner and the first division prize money slowly approaching K3 million a lone person has won. The first division prize of K2.937 million was won on the Monday draw conducted on the 1st of September. The 41 year old public servant winner wishes to remain anonymous so he doesn't discover an instant family.



Provincial Shows



The Goroka Show is set for the weekend just before Independence Day. It will be held from the 12th to the 14th of September. Independence Day is the 16th of September. PNG gained independence from Australia on the 16th of September 1975. The Morobe Show (Lae) is set for the 11th and 12th of October.



Maritime Safety



The Department of Transport is establishing a national maritime safety authority to help improve maritime safety and marine pollution. The authority will be a self-funding, non-profit making statutory authority. The Department of Transport has secured funding from the Asian Development Bank and AusAID for the project.



Defence Force



The Secretary for Defence has confirmed that he has uncovered K27 million worth of false claims for goods and services that have not been provided by the claimants.



Attorney General



The PNG Attorney General has been referred for prosecution for alleged "improper receipts" and "failure to furnish annual statements". The Ombudsman Commission has referred the Attorney General to the Public Prosector for further investigation.



Walk For Life



A successful Walk For Life coordinated by PriceWaterhouseCoopers has raised over K70,000 for the Sir Buri Kidu Heart Institute. Over 1000 people walked and 891 of these were registered with two of them being international trekkers about to attempt the Kokoda Trail.

Air Niugini won the shield for having the most entrants. Telikom PNG previously won this.



Cheshire Homes



Cheshire Homes, an establishment that looks after many disabled people in Port Moresby, has a new security fence. A resident, Jason Thomas, cut the ribbon surrounded by the Minister for Social Welfare and Development, Lady Carol Kidu, the Australian High Commissioner to PNG and the Cheshire Homes board chairman.



PNG Folktales



One Thousand One Papua New Guinean Nights:
Folktales from Wantok Newspaper
Translated and Edited by Thomas H. Slone

One Thousand One Papua New Guinean Nights is a two-volume collection of folktales that were originally published in Papua New Guinea's Wantok newspaper. The folktales were in Tok Pisin, the Pidgin English language of Papua New Guinea. This two-volume collection presents the complete set of 1047 folktales published between 1972 and 1997. This book represents one of the largest general collections of Papua New Guinean folktales. All of Papua New Guinea's provinces and approximately 35% of Papua New Guinea's 700 language/culture groups are represented. The first volume includes the introduction and 550 folktales; the second volume includes the remaining folktales, indices, a glossary, a set of maps and a gazetteer. The folktales have been extensively indexed by author, village, original language (or culture group), province, flora and fauna, and folklore motif.

This book is available directly from the publisher at -- http://THSlone.tripod.com/masalaipress.html

and from Amazon.com -- http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=abibliogrofmelan&keyword=slone+papua&mode=books

barnesandnoble.com -- http://shop.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=slone+papua

and bamm.com -- http://www.booksamillion.com/ncom/books?type=keyword&find=slone+papua&x=6&y=6

Further information about the book and a couple of sample stories can be found at -- http://THSlone.tripod.com/1001PNGnights.html

A sample story from Milne Bay, reprinted with permission of the author, can also be found at -- http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/1001.html

Thomas H. Slone is a staff scientist at the University of California at Berkeley.



Inflation



In the June quarter of 2003 the Consumer Price Index only rose by one percent. This was due to the decrease in basic food items such as rice and flour. The price of fresh fruit and vegetables also decreased in all towns except for Rabaul. The one percent figure compares with 6.9 percent fort the March quarter.



39th Medical Symposium



Doctors and nurses have converged on the Holy Trinity Teacher's College in Mt Hagen to attend the 39th PNG Medical symposium. The main theme for the symposium was HIV/AIDS Epidemic in PNG. More than 500 people from the medical fraternity have turned up to participate. A keynote address was given by a World Health Organisation representative.



World Bank



The World Bank has suspended a K156 million Forestry Conservation Project because the Government of PNG has not complied with various legal requirements. The World Bank is upset over the lack of compliance in dealing with three timber authority projects. They are the Aiambak-Kiunga project, the Vailala Timber Project and the Wauvi-Guavi Timber Project.






PNG Media


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-- THE END --

Some of the ways of saying "that's all" are courtesy of Liz and her friends at the University of Technology in Lae. http://www.unitech.ac.pg

If you can add to this list then please send email to PNG-News@pnggossip.com

 






Created 6 Sep 2003
Updated 16 Sep 2003

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